Trip Report I'll stop the World and Melt with you.

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It's been two years since my family and I visited WDW. Two long years. Thankfully, my son Sterg and I got a three day Disney fix last summer at Disneyland.

Curiously, this trip report is being written at a time when a lot of negative Disney vibe is emanating from other regions of WDWMagic - as it was two years ago. The Doom & Gloom is running free and wild. I'm just thankful I stayed clear of most of it before our trip because I may have cancelled what turned out to be an amazing time. It is also fortunate that we got this trip in because from the sound of things there may not be a WDW to go to in a few years.

To be truthful, some things that Disney has done has me scratching my head; but this is neither the time nor place to discuss it. Putting that aside - let's get on with the trip report!

We left on Sunday July 21st. Maybe the longest day of my life. The night before, my oldest daughter Alex went to see Taylor Swift in Philadelphia ( about 50 miles away ) and due to a long rain delay she didn't make it home until 2 am. This meant that she would not go to sleep since we were being picked up at 3 am for the drive to Philly airport for our 6 am flight. At least we were supposed to be picked up at 3am.

Here is my Mom ( Yia-Yia )and my youngest daughter Antonia ( Toni ) up and ready at 3 in the morning waiting for our ride. Yia-Yia ( grandmother in Greek ) is 77 years old and joining us for the first time on a Disney adventure. Toni is now almost 12 and the little Yorki-poo in the front is Prince. Prince is short for Prince Charming ( named by Toni ).

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When the driver didn't show up by 3:15 I started to worry. I called the limo company at the same time he called me to tell me he was lost. I reeled him in and we were on our way by 3:30. The drive down was nerve wracking as I kept watching the clock and praying for no delays. That is until our driver eased my tension by telling us his son works for Disney and he goes down to the World 4 or 5 times a year. The resulting Disney conversation lasted until we hit the airport around 4:30.

More tension as we went through security. My carry on was stopped in the machine and I was pulled aside. I had put a container of Vitamin C powder in my bag that garnered some attention. Of course, my Mom came over as I was being held and my bag inspected.

"Why didn't you put that in your suitcase, Christo?" she said to me in her Greek accented voice.

"Mom, please go wait over there" I responded.

"No, I want to see what they are doing" Then she followed with this one for the TSA officer.

"It's not drugs, my son doesn't do cocaine!"

OK, I thought. I'm definitely going to be held in some prison cell for the next week.

After the chemical test proved my Mother correct, I was allowed to go on my way. We had time to grab coffee and some food and make it on the Southwest plane to Orlando. A plane full of smiling happy faces! Including these;

This is my wife Val ( not the biggest of Disney fans ), with Yia-Yia in the middle and Alex by the window.

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On the other side was yours truly sporting a Hawaiian shirt ( since we were staying at the Poly ), Toni and Sterg.

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Before we knew it we were up in the clouds...

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ShookieJones

We need time for things to happen.
Citricos is a Signature Restaurant located at the Grand Floridian. I heard many good things about it so I was eager to add it to our dinning plans. The fact that it was more formal would be appealing to Yia-Yia and Val and it's a good experience for the kids. Someday they may have to go to a fancy restaurant for their careers and I don't want them drinking out of the soup bowl. The location was very convenient; one stop on the monorail.

We got ready and made our way out; but first some pics along the way. As an aside - getting ready for dinner in our connected rooms was always a scene. Even with two bathrooms, you had people jumping in and out of showers, hair dryers going, music blasting, Sterg would usually be dancing and annoying everyone ( especially me ). He also would use that time to film a "Vine" or two. Vine is some website were you share short ( and usually stupid or funny ) videos. He made a "Vine" of me one day. It started off with him talking "Ladies and Gentlemen; here is the real Iron Man" - then it would cut to a short clip of me ironing my shirt while wear a t-shirt and boxers. Real funny stuff. I was just thankfully that our Garden Grocer delivery included alcohol.

Back to the pics on the way to the Monorail, on the way to Citricos...

This was one the best posts in a trip report I've read in a long time...hahaha.

I underlined the parts that had me chuckling.
Is it wrong that I love the fact that you've got a teenager driving you batsh*t crazy too? Misery loves company.
God love 'em.

I know I drove my dad nuts and finally the chickens have come home roost.
 

Kristia

Well-Known Member
Only about halfway through your report but wanted to comment before I forget!

Isn't that SW 6:00am flight from Philly to Orlando killer yet great at the same time! So freaking early but it gets you there early too. It is so funny that you said the Poly looks Brady Bunch-esque. I said that very thing to Dan as we were walking through there on our way to our Kona ressie. We ate at Whispering Canyon for the first time and found the food good except the ribs. Like you said, they were dry and not very flavorful. We didn't finish ours.

Love all your pictures as always! The night time ones at the MK are awesome including the firework ones. Love your AK ones too especially the fisheyes in near EE!
 

mishel635

Well-Known Member
What a great glimpse into Disney World I'm getting from your trip report!! Your photos are gorgeous!!! And your family is great. I look forward to hearing more about your trip. Thanks!!!!
 

afar28

Well-Known Member
In Ocean City Maryland with the in-laws for a long weekend. I can't ever remember having temps in the low 70's in the middle of August. Big change from WDW a few weeks ago! Hope to get an update up tomorrow.
I agree with you on that. It was only 66 degrees in South Carolina today. Strange weather, it's been freezing this week for a summer
 

disneypearl

Well-Known Member
In Ocean City Maryland with the in-laws for a long weekend. I can't ever remember having temps in the low 70's in the middle of August. Big change from WDW a few weeks ago! Hope to get an update up tomorrow.

Enjoy your weekend! It's been cold in Michigan too but the forcast looks like we may get back in the 80s soon. Looking forward to your next update.
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
In Ocean City Maryland with the in-laws for a long weekend. I can't ever remember having temps in the low 70's in the middle of August. Big change from WDW a few weeks ago! Hope to get an update up tomorrow.

Same here in MA -- lovely, cool temperatures for a few days now. That won't last though; next week is supposed to get hot and muggy again. Ugh. Anyway, looking forward to your next trip report installment--great commentary and outstanding pictures!!
 

donaldtoo

Well-Known Member
OK, FINALLY all caught up on yet another amazing TR on this site!!! :)
This WHOLE dang site is full of the most AWESOME PTR's, live TR's, and TR's...!!!!! :joyfull:

So...
Yep, the Gabler book is one looooong read, but worth it despite a few inaccuracies. I've read 7 Walt Disney biographies, so far :)

We brought my MIL along for her first trip ever this past June, and she's been doin' nothin' but gettin' after us to take her back ASAP...!!! :) My DW tells me I'm her new best bud...?!?! o_O :rolleyes: ;)

We ate at 'Ohana for the 3rd time on our last trip, and the pork was the one thing we requested more of. Everything was AWESOME (last trip in July of '12 wasn't the best, but not enough to deter us) but the pork was off-the-chain good this time!!! :) And, yes, I could eat there for just the pot stickers and sauces alone...! :)

I've always wanted to be "That guy" at Monsters ILF, but, no luck, so far. Although, I have been "Needs a Hug" and "Will buy everybody churros" respectively on our last 2 trips. :D

My wife just LOVES the fact that I've turned our 3 kiddos into thrill ride junkies, also.
Hey. I'm a dad. It's my job. :cool:

But, fortunately my DW loves all the Disneyness as much as I do, so it's ALL good...!!!!!! :)

And, I can really appreciate all the honesty and candidness of your report. Let's face it, we ALL have a blast, but ultimately, it ain't always happiness and daisies...!!! :eek: :confused: ;) :)

Anyway, thanks sooooooo much for this report, fractal...!!!!!!!!!!! :)
 

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Thanks Tammy! Yeah, when I started it was a lot of trail and even more "error". I appreciate the kind words!

Sometimes my wallet doesn't like the way Val thinks. :eek:
She really did enjoy herself - I just need to sneak in a relaxing "beach" vacation in before we go to WDW again.

Hah! I bet your wallet doesn't like that!
Relaxing beach sounds good! Maybe a cruise?!! :)

Jed Clampett! Lol
I love that she woke you up to go. That's awesome.
I love your fisheyes. Even the ones you don't like the angle on. It's just so nice to see different angles of the same things we see all the time.
Oh my word that's a ton of backpacks!! Crazy!
 

fractal

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Toni had fun in the playground. She probably would have had more fun if she had somebody else to go down the slides with, but I'm pretty much past that point.

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I'm glad we spent the time to see something new at WDW. I wish we would have found this spot on previous trips when the kids were younger.

We were on the move again. Looking for a place to eat, but first some more pictures.

From where I'm from, "youse" is proper English. I remember when I went to college, people would laugh at my using "youse" and also saying things like "Are youse guys coming with?" My roommate would say "Coming with what?". o_O

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Here's how you can get two pictures from one. Here's a view with a lot going on.

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vs. a much more intimate photo of Toni in front of the fountain;

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We had lunch at Planet Pizza - our first time - and I thought it was surprising good.

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angieandtrevor

Active Member
I am going to jump on the bandwagon like everyone else, AMAZING pics, really, they are all fantastic !! I have the Sony a65 and I do love the quality of the pics (although I still have no clue how to really use it) but the weight and size can get annoying at times. I try never to complain about it because I love pictures so much that it really is worth the pain. You really are motivating me to learn more about my camera and I most definitely want a fisheye lens.

The pictures of your daughter in the playground makes me shiver (although she is absolutely adorable). We took our 2-year old in there in January and it was SO busy and he was a wild man wanting to run everywhere. He ran in this one place and then I realized it had about 10 different ways to go so I panicked and squeezed myself in the dark tunnel flashing my camera to find him. Luckily I did and we carried him out crying and screaming. I quickly realized those places are not great for little boys who are still learning to listen, haha. So glad your daughter enjoyed it, I am sure one day we may let our son go back there, lol !!

Oh and "youse" is most definitely a word, especially in Canada. We go between youse and yas although when people question me on it I just blame it on my Acadian French background :)

I am thoroughly enjoying your review, your family seems like lots of fun and your way of telling your experiences is awesome !! Thanks for taking the time to write this review, I look forward to more !!
 

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